Nov 13, 2016, 10:07 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
Please edit or add information to this wiki as necessary.
Link to HKG Airport information on aa.com, including ticket / check-in counter hours.
Link to HKG Airport information
MCT is 1:00 for through same ticket connections where your baggage has been checked through.
NOTE that connecting with separate tickets may require you to process immigration, collect baggage and process customs, then checking in with your departure airline and processing security. One hour will not suffice.
Check-in: Ticket counter Terminal 1 (This location does not accept cash).
At HKG, Terminal 1 one can also check in earlier at the “Self check-in” purple highlighted kiosks available at Terminal 1; select the AA display. You should also be able to update your airline FFP and number at this time.
Passengers carrying only hand luggage can then proceed directly to immigration, while those with check-in luggage may drop their bag(s) at the Bag Drop Counter located just steps away from the kiosks.
"Special notice
If you are taking the Airport Express, you can enjoy the convenient free in-town check-in (Airport Express Station) service in Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations to check in between 90 minutes and within the same day of the departure date." (aa.com - current 25 Jan 2018)
Link to HKG Airport information on aa.com, including ticket / check-in counter hours.
Link to HKG Airport information
MCT is 1:00 for through same ticket connections where your baggage has been checked through.
NOTE that connecting with separate tickets may require you to process immigration, collect baggage and process customs, then checking in with your departure airline and processing security. One hour will not suffice.
Check-in: Ticket counter Terminal 1 (This location does not accept cash)
- Flight 126 - Daily: 12:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
- Flight 192 - Daily: 4:40 p.m. - 6:40 p.m
At HKG, Terminal 1 one can also check in earlier at the “Self check-in” purple highlighted kiosks available at Terminal 1; select the AA display. You should also be able to update your airline FFP and number at this time.
Passengers carrying only hand luggage can then proceed directly to immigration, while those with check-in luggage may drop their bag(s) at the Bag Drop Counter located just steps away from the kiosks.
"Special notice
If you are taking the Airport Express, you can enjoy the convenient free in-town check-in (Airport Express Station) service in Hong Kong and Kowloon Stations to check in between 90 minutes and within the same day of the departure date." (aa.com - current 25 Jan 2018)
Guide: AA HKG / Hong Kong Int’l. Airport Connections, MCT, Arrival & Departure, etc.
Apr 18, 2019, 10:22 am
#91
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I am not sure where to put this so I apologize in advance if its in the wrong place.
I am flying HKG - DFW on AA 126 next month. I am EXP and also in F on the 3-cabin flight. The flights departs at 2:20pm and I wanted to get to the airport early to do a little lounge hopping (this will be my first time to HKG and I have heard amazing things about the OW lounges there). The AA website says check-in for flight 126 opens ~2 hours before take-off at 12:15pm. Does anyone know if I will be able to access the lounges if I arrive ~4 hours before departure? I am not checking luggage but assume I won't be able to use electronic check-in given the passport check. Will I be able to get a boarding pass from a OW partner's counter? Any other ideas would be welcome.
Thank you!
I am flying HKG - DFW on AA 126 next month. I am EXP and also in F on the 3-cabin flight. The flights departs at 2:20pm and I wanted to get to the airport early to do a little lounge hopping (this will be my first time to HKG and I have heard amazing things about the OW lounges there). The AA website says check-in for flight 126 opens ~2 hours before take-off at 12:15pm. Does anyone know if I will be able to access the lounges if I arrive ~4 hours before departure? I am not checking luggage but assume I won't be able to use electronic check-in given the passport check. Will I be able to get a boarding pass from a OW partner's counter? Any other ideas would be welcome.
Thank you!
The AA counter at the HKG airport for my last trip in February opened I thought 3 hours before departure. While I was also in F and got checked in quickly you typically spend 30-45 minutes between check-in, security and walking/riding wherever. My suggestion would be to be sure to take the Airport Express from Kowloon or Hong Kong station to the airport and make use of the intown checkin and baggage check (if needed). I can't remember the exact rules but am sure you can check-in earlier that morning and then hop on the train with boarding pass on hand. For some reason it seems that they might even let you check-in 24 hours in advance but you'd have to look at the Airport Express rules on that. It is a very convenient and easy process. Enjoy the lounges. Others may have some ideas or correct my information but I think this is fairly accurate.
Nov 30, 2019, 7:29 am
#92
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,264
Flying DFW-HKG (AA first) connecting to HKG-TPE (CX business) on separate tickets. Just tried to check in for the CX flight and apparently need to collect a BP at the airport, which is presumably in HKG.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
Nov 30, 2019, 7:54 am
#93
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 538
Flying DFW-HKG (AA first) connecting to HKG-TPE (CX business) on separate tickets. Just tried to check in for the CX flight and apparently need to collect a BP at the airport, which is presumably in HKG.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
Nov 30, 2019, 7:56 am
#94
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
Flying DFW-HKG (AA first) connecting to HKG-TPE (CX business) on separate tickets. Just tried to check in for the CX flight and apparently need to collect a BP at the airport, which is presumably in HKG.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
I assume it's a simple process to stop by a transfer desk before heading through security? Anything else I need to be aware of?
Thanks.
Dec 4, 2019, 1:46 am
#95
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 108
I definitely should’ve checked earlier, but I’m doing SYD-HKG on CX138, arriving at around 530am Dec 5. Under a separate reservation I’m on AA192 HKG-LAX, which departs at 755pm.
I take off from Sydney ~30 mins before check in opens for the latter flight. Will the AA transfer desk be open to get my boarding pass so I can clear security right away? Had no problems doing the reverse last week but it didn’t look like there was anyone at the AA desk when I was in line for the Cathay desk.
I take off from Sydney ~30 mins before check in opens for the latter flight. Will the AA transfer desk be open to get my boarding pass so I can clear security right away? Had no problems doing the reverse last week but it didn’t look like there was anyone at the AA desk when I was in line for the Cathay desk.
Dec 4, 2019, 2:25 am
#96
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
I definitely should’ve checked earlier, but I’m doing SYD-HKG on CX138, arriving at around 530am Dec 5. Under a separate reservation I’m on AA192 HKG-LAX, which departs at 755pm. I take off from Sydney ~30 mins before check in opens for the latter flight. Will the AA transfer desk be open to get my boarding pass so I can clear security right away? Had no problems doing the reverse last week but it didn’t look like there was anyone at the AA desk when I was in line for the Cathay desk.
Also CX138 has a habit of arriving in HKG very early, last Saturday at 04 30 (Got me home nice and early as well).
Good Luck!
Dec 4, 2019, 2:54 am
#97
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 108
While I do not have an immediate answer, my suggestion would be to check in online in advance and get your boarding pass that way. My experience of the terminal check in is AA opens 3 hours in advance of the flight and as the DFW is the earlier flight departing at 15 45, there could well be no desk available until 12 45. So I would suggest the online check in is the best option.
Also CX138 has a habit of arriving in HKG very early, last Saturday at 04 30 (Got me home nice and early as well).
Good Luck!
Also CX138 has a habit of arriving in HKG very early, last Saturday at 04 30 (Got me home nice and early as well).
Good Luck!
Dec 4, 2019, 2:58 am
#98
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Austin
Programs: AA EXP +2MM- LT PLT! HH Diamond
Posts: 6,087
I know this is a little unconventional, but if the mobile BP is not available, it might be worth it to take the HKG express r/t to the Kowloon station where you can check in as far as 24 hrs in advance and then head back to the airport to hang out in the lounge(s).
Dec 4, 2019, 6:20 am
#99
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 12,483
While I do not have an immediate answer, my suggestion would be to check in online in advance and get your boarding pass that way. My experience of the terminal check in is AA opens 3 hours in advance of the flight and as the DFW is the earlier flight departing at 15 45, there could well be no desk available until 12 45. So I would suggest the online check in is the best option.
The main landside check in desks open at 11:15am according to aa.com, the transit desk should be open earlier than that however most likely not at ~5am yet. On the HKG Airport Website transit page there is a phone number for AA inquiries under the transit section, you could try giving them a ring.
Other than that, teemu's suggestion above re: Airport Express to Kowloon and check-in there is great and might be your only option, also a good way to kill an hour or two. Personally if you're going that far I would kill some time walking around the city, eat breakfast, etc., HKG is a fantastic airport with fantastic lounges however after 12+ hrs I would be going bonkers.
Dec 5, 2019, 2:11 am
#100
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
Interesting, I do not use it often but not had a problem in Hong Kong. I will bear this in mind when flying AA to the US from another country.
Dec 5, 2019, 12:56 pm
#101
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: NC
Programs: AAConciergeKey/1MM, DL DM/2 MM, UA Gold,Hilton Diamond, IHG Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 11,980
Does AA offer any sort of premium arrival services for AA F pax or Concierge Key when arriving (not transiting) HKG? Am hoping for a quick immigration check as am on a time crunch and debating whether to pay for an arrival service otherwise.
Dec 5, 2019, 3:54 pm
#102
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,403
No, but there is normally not much of a wait when this flight arrives. Expect to be out in baggage claim within 10 minutes of gate arrival. The early bank of flights are around 5-7 AM. AA193 is rarely early (sometimes very late) and by 7:15-7:30 things quiet down significantly at immigration. Note that even during peak times visitors are unlikely to wait more than 15-20 minutes at HKG to get through immigration.
Finally, the concierge arrival service (which is provided by Worldwide Flight Services regardless of who you book through, including hotels) doesn't offer priority access through immigration. You do get a golf cart ride to immigration which may or may not save a few minutes depending on the arrival gate, but other than that, everyone is treated the same at HKG unless you have e-channel access, an APEC card, or a Diplomatic passport.
Finally, the concierge arrival service (which is provided by Worldwide Flight Services regardless of who you book through, including hotels) doesn't offer priority access through immigration. You do get a golf cart ride to immigration which may or may not save a few minutes depending on the arrival gate, but other than that, everyone is treated the same at HKG unless you have e-channel access, an APEC card, or a Diplomatic passport.
Dec 5, 2019, 6:47 pm
#103
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 108
In my experience mobile/online check-in almost never works on AA when flying to the USA, especially from Asia, so I wouldn't count on that (but definitely give it a shot).
The main landside check in desks open at 11:15am according to aa.com, the transit desk should be open earlier than that however most likely not at ~5am yet. On the HKG Airport Website transit page there is a phone number for AA inquiries under the transit section, you could try giving them a ring.
Other than that, teemu's suggestion above re: Airport Express to Kowloon and check-in there is great and might be your only option, also a good way to kill an hour or two. Personally if you're going that far I would kill some time walking around the city, eat breakfast, etc., HKG is a fantastic airport with fantastic lounges however after 12+ hrs I would be going bonkers.
The main landside check in desks open at 11:15am according to aa.com, the transit desk should be open earlier than that however most likely not at ~5am yet. On the HKG Airport Website transit page there is a phone number for AA inquiries under the transit section, you could try giving them a ring.
Other than that, teemu's suggestion above re: Airport Express to Kowloon and check-in there is great and might be your only option, also a good way to kill an hour or two. Personally if you're going that far I would kill some time walking around the city, eat breakfast, etc., HKG is a fantastic airport with fantastic lounges however after 12+ hrs I would be going bonkers.
Dec 6, 2019, 4:14 am
#104
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AAdvantage Asia Miles Air China
Posts: 870
No, but there is normally not much of a wait when this flight arrives. Expect to be out in baggage claim within 10 minutes of gate arrival. The early bank of flights are around 5-7 AM. AA193 is rarely early (sometimes very late) and by 7:15-7:30 things quiet down significantly at immigration. Note that even during peak times visitors are unlikely to wait more than 15-20 minutes at HKG to get through immigration.
Jan 16, 2020, 2:17 pm
#105
Join Date: Jul 2019
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 101
Considering connecting in HKG on separate tickets in July. KA-AA with KA inbound from KUL arriving 12:25PM, AA Outbound to DFW departing 2:20PM.
We would likely have checked baggage.
Is this realistic? Never connected through HKG before so unsure if we'll need to clear customs/etc, especially on separate tickets.
We would likely have checked baggage.
Is this realistic? Never connected through HKG before so unsure if we'll need to clear customs/etc, especially on separate tickets.
Last edited by wk989; Jan 16, 2020 at 2:20 pm Reason: Correct info-- remembered we may be checking a bag.